The unions in France want to continue their protests against the government's pension reform beyond Christmas if the government does not give in. As the four unions, CGT, FO, FSU and Solidaires said, the strikes started two weeks ago should continue until the end of December if the government does not withdraw its reform plans "in the coming hours".
However, the unions' statement speaks of "local actions", not another national day of action.
New negotiations between the unions and the government are taking place on Wednesday to possibly avert the impending strikes at Christmas. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has invited him to his Paris office. The fronts are hardened: before the round table, Philippe was determined to implement the reform.
Strike and demos video in France: "Time pressure is high"
THE MIRROR
According to the Interior Ministry, around 615,000 people across the country went against the plans on Tuesday. The CGT union spoke of 1.8 million demonstrators.
The government rejected a compromise offer. The largest union, CFDT, had announced the prospect of contributing higher pension contributions if the government in return canceled the actual raising of the entry age from the current 62 to 64 years. Other unions are calling for the reform to be completely abandoned. It is one of President Emmanuel Macron's key campaign promises.
